. also, what it's like to debate mitt romney. newt gingrich knows and he'll tell us about that and more. and after a multimillion dollar makeover, what's supposed to be one of washington's most beautiful sites is an ugly eyesore. wolf blitzer's off today. i'm joe johns. you're in "the situation room." >>> we begin with one of the states that in just 41 days could decide the presidential election, ohio, is so important both to president obama and mitt romney campaigning there this afternoon. and there's more of a backdrop than just the early autumn trees. a brand new quinnipiac/cbs "new york times" poll has the president a full ten points ahead of romney in ohio. 53% to 43%. let's begin with cnn white house correspondent dan lothian. >> reporter: joe, even though a new poll shows the president with a double digit lead in ohio, mr. obama continues to push hard in the state. it's a huge priority for the campaign according to a top aide. by our count the president has visited ohio at least 13 times so far this year. this time ahead of early voting, which by the way begins next tuesday. now,